Diversity and Equity Programs

E(Race)r: Summit on Race and Racism on Canadian University Campuses

In light of the recent rise in demands made from racialized, Indigenous, and Aboriginal students in North America, Laurier hosts an annual summit that explores ways to hear, engage with, and address racialized students' concerns. Together, we will work to develop intentional actions to stop racism on Canadian university campuses.

The 2017 E(Race)R Summit will be held on March 21, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Mission

The mission of this annual summit is to initiate and engage with the national discourses on race and racism on Canadian university campuses. Using race as a starting point, we will collectively explore the nuances of our intersecting identities as campus leaders on Canadian university campuses with the aim of becoming intentional in our diversity, equity and inclusion strategies.

Vision

To initiate ongoing dialogue about racial justice that serves to legitimize the concerns of racialized and Indigenous students, faculty and staff in Canadian universities.

To collaboratively formulate innovative and practical ways of addressing systemic racism and discrimination in higher education across the nation.

To engage sustainable solutions to address the experiences of both overt and covert racial and ethnic discrimination in higher education.

To demonstrate our care and compassion for those students, faculty and staff members whose experiences of racial inequities — whether micro or macro — continue to impact upon them and their communities.

To create opportunities for intentional actions that address systemic barriers to racial justice in Canadian universities.

Beating the Odds

Beating the Odds is an all-day conference held on our Waterloo campus for high school students to boost their aspirations for achieving higher education. As a means of combating statistics suggesting that students of African descent have a 70% drop-out rate in Waterloo Region, our members and community supporters bring professionals and other university students to Laurier to facilitate workshops and keynote presentations that create an atmosphere of empowerment and motivation.

In past years we have had workshops on; identity, business, leadership, next steps after high school and more. Our keynote speakers are professionals in their field and have a passion and/or relevant experience for inspiring young people. Workshops offered by professionals of African descent and Laurier students benefit high school students by offering them valuable information that will help to propel them into a successful future.

Our annual conference, held each February, continues to grow as we register over 100 students each year to attend.

Diversity Art Series

The Diversity and Equity Office hosted the inaugural Diversity Art Series at Laurier’s Yellow Brick Wall (Brantford) in March 2016. It got an amazing response, making it clear the series was here to stay.

The Diversity Art Series features art created by Laurier students, each of whom uses their creative pieces to investigate contemporary social justice issues and experiences of minoritized students and allies. The exhibit is part of ongoing efforts to illuminate and archive the narratives of those impacted by systemic inequities.

The series offers five unique pieces each accompanied by workshops that engage the Laurier community in a dialogue about diversity and equity in unique ways.

The Yellow Brick Wall is the exhibition on Laurier's Brantford Campus. It is designed to provide appreciation and enjoyment of Canadian art to members of the Laurier community and beyond. The Yellow Brick Wall aims to contribute to the growth of students, encourage dialogue and reflect the diversity and culture in the Brantford community.

Diversity Certificate

The Diversity Certificate offered through the Diversity and Equity Office provides peer-to-peer learning opportunities to encourage creative engagement with challenging social justice topics. Topics change from year to year in order to ensure that the content speaks to current needs and interests. Six workshops are offered each year. Participate in a minimum of four workshops to get the certificate.